She might be 70 years old but Ann Hullah shows no sign of resting as she prepares for a 65-mile cycle ride through the streets of London at night to raise money for research into breast and ovarian cancer.

shares

The former district nurse of Hallfields, Shouldham signed up to the Women V Cancer Ride the Night event on May 31 because she wanted to help in the fight against the illness.

Many less energetic people would shy away from the challenge, which starts at 10am and does not finish until the small hours.

But a confident Mrs Hullah, who completed a 300-mile bike ride through the desert in Jordan when she was 65 with celebrity television presenter Fern Britton, said that despite her age: “Distance is not the problem.

And she joked: “I perhaps should be a bit more sensible at 70 but I want to complete the ride with my daughter.

“I’ve always liked athletics and the fact we’re going to do it in May is an incentive to try and keep fit.

“I have no secret – I am just very determined!”

The more concerning aspect for her is the safety of riding through central London in the dark, given the recent series of accidents involving cyclists in the capital.

However Mrs Hullah – who will be joined by her daughter Natalie Gotts, 37, and next-door neighbour Susan Pepper, 59 – said: “The whole point is that it is a challenge.

“I could stay at home, just write a cheque and let someone else do it but I want to get involved.”

She is also looking forward to the camaraderie between the 2,000 people taking part in the event.

“Having done the event in Jordan, I know that you make friends for the rest of your life,” she said.

She has already been in training for the event and now plans to keep up her cycling regime during the winter months.

The route for the ride starts at Windsor Racecourse and goes through the centre of London, before the riders return to Windsor.

Mrs Hullah said she had not personally been affected by cancer but that as a district nurse she had helped people suffering from the illness and has had seen its devastating impact.

“Everyone knows someone who has had breast or ovarian cancer,” she said. “Every penny we raise gets nearer to finding some way of reducing it.”

Are you raising money for charity in West Norfolk? Contact reporter Andrew Papworth on 01553 778681 or email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk